primal chair - 2023
1st PLACE: LEONHARD PAULI, HARMONY, AUSTRIA
Harmony embodies the delicate balance between the splendor of nature's creations and the presence of human life. Nestled in the vastness of the Kočevje forest, a kingdom rich in natural allure, inhabited by magnificent spruces and beech trees, an astounding concept emerges. The use of a segment of spruce trunk, often a byproduct of forestry activities, serves as an excellent foundation for crafting an exceptional chair. While the practice of using tree trunks as seating furniture is rooted in millennia-old tradition, Harmony evolves with a modern touch – an elegantly curved, black-stained backrest made of plywood, securely embedded in the trunk. Both elements are treated with linseed oil to preserve the material's properties and simplify subsequent care. This durable design not only ensures longevity but also encompasses the tree's lifetime absorption of carbon dioxide.
2nd PLACE: GEORGE BOSNAS, FORLAND, GREECE
After devastating wildfires in recent years in global forests and considering the principles of circular economy and product life cycle, I decided to create an object that uses wood as the main material, but only for the creation of the object and not for cutting down trees to make another wooden chair. Mycelium is a material that utilizes trees and living microorganisms and expands as it progresses. Combined with agricultural waste or residues and waste from wood production, you can create a highly durable result that is 100% biodegradable. The process requires low energy, making it suitable for this scale of production. As demanded by the competition, the main idea is to bring humans closer to the forest, awakening their awareness of environmental issues as a higher goal. Forland is a two-part chair that uses wood as a backrest. For secondary use, it can be assembled as a stool, allowing the user to sit anywhere.
3rd PLACE: GOPALKRISHNA PAIKANE, SLICE CHAIR,INDIA
Introducing the "Slice Chair" - a stunning blend of functionality and artistic ingenuity, where simplicity meets innovation. The chair embodies a design philosophy that celebrates minimalism with clean lines and uncluttered form. The Slice Chair redefines the ordinary concept of seating and presents a unique touch that sets it apart from others.The Slice Chair is entirely crafted from solid wood, ensuring durability and timeless elegance. Every component, whether it be the legs, side and cross supports, seat, or backrest, is made from square-section profiles of uniform dimensions. This uniformity lends the design modest elegance while allowing the material's properties to shine through.A standout feature of the chair is its seat and backrest design. Instead of adhering to the traditional bending layer, the edges of the square profiles have been expertly removed with smooth, uninterrupted curves. This ingenious approach increases the surface area of both the seat and backrest, enhancing comfort without compromising aesthetics. Additionally, this elegant curvature adds softness and an overall appearance that enhances its visual appeal.
SPECIAL MENTION: FLORIAN KNOBL IN MARISA GAAB, ZWIESELCHAIR, GERMANY
When we were gathering wood in the forest for our work, we noticed a special type of tree trunk that seemed to lag behind in growth. This is a unique form of tree trunk, colloquially referred to as "Zwiesel". In this case, the tree forms its trunk not from one, but from two branches. The result is forks with a special shape and wood grain, which are typically categorized as unusable pieces of wood.
During the winter and spring of 2023, we spent time in the forests searching, selecting, and gathering "Zwiesels". We analyzed individual trunks based on their formal and optical peculiarities, accentuated them, and used them in the design of Zwiesel chairs. This marked the beginning of thinking and developing further ideas about the use of wood, which remained in the first edition of Zwiesel chairs. We reduced them to pieces that fit perfectly, and each one required analysis in a lengthy process.